Albany Democrat-Herald from Albany, Oregon • 5

cr.i:::i Af IIASV 01 hUXHM Mr KM I). WMM SOAY, JAM AKV 2w A3 ciiafe race underdliDg heart from Dora IT MM CAM ASSOCIATE!) PRESS WKITEA SALEM Stevt Novlck, the ielf-dcicrlbed underdog in Ore gon'i Democratic U.S. Senati race, layi the presidential vote In Iowa ihowed that voteri are ready for a change and aren't taking their cuea from party establishment typca. Novlck likened his chief opponent, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, to Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose once formidable presidential candidacy was dealt a blow In last week's Iowa caucuses. Clinton rebounded to win the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night.

"It proves that money doesn't buy elections; that establishment support doesn't determine elections; and that people are going to make up their own minds and vote for people they can trust to bring real change," the Portland lawyer and activist said before the New Hampshire result. Merkley was recruited by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee In Washington, D.C., which already has spent nearly $100,000 on Merklcy'i behalf. The Oregon Haute speaker also has been endorsed by most of the state's Democratic heavyweights as well as key labor groups, That strong backing has given Merkley front-runner status in the Democratic Senate race, but Novick said the vote in Iowa indicates voters "aren't listening to the political 'establishment so far." Hillary Clinton "had lots of endorsements and a perception of inevitability," Novick said, but was eclipsed in the early going by flarack Obama and his powerful message of change. Merkley campaign spokesman Rum Kelley said he agrees that voters are ready for a change, and that Merkley, after his successful first term as Oregon House speaker, "certainly would represent a new direction for the U.S. Senate." Kelley also noted that Merkley early on endorsed the presidential candidacy of John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator who's been pushing a strong populist message in his bid for the De mocratic nomination F'ortland pollster Tim llibbitts said he still considers Novick the underdog in the Oregon Senate race, but that results in Ion a show Novick is "exactly right about the tenor of the times." "Democrats and Republicans are not happy with the direction of the country and when that hiippen they look outside the usual crew of candidates," llibbitts said.

"In that climate, a guy like Novick can have a shot if can get enough money to drive his message and can calibrate it the right way." fcmKtMitrkl turn Dashing through the snow FBI investigating Betsy Johnson PORTLAND (AP) The FBI is investigating State Sen. Betsy Johnson, the Scappoose Democrat who acknowledged last year that she violated state ethics law by failing to disclose that she owned land next to the airport in her home city. The Oregonian newspaper reported in its Wednesday editions that three sources confirmed they had been interviewed by the FBI regarding Johnson. Johnson's lawyer, Stephen Houze, confirmed the investigation, but offered no specifics about the matter. "Because it is a pending investigation, neither she nor I intend to comment on the merits," he said in a prepared statement.

Peter Williamson, the former executive director of the Port of St. Helens, acknowledged that he was interviewed by the FBI, but declined to say what kind'of questions were asked. The other sources, who were granted anonymity, said the FBI wanted to know about Johnson's involvement in development around the Scappoose airport. Johnson has long advocated commercial and industrial development around the airport, which is run by the Port of St. Helens.

She fought to stop gravel mining around the airport, and also founded the company that is now known as Transwestern Aviation, a fuel stop at the airport that records show is owned by her husband, John Helm. In 2004, Johnson and her husband bought a 36-acre parcel adjacent to the airport and then sold the land three months later to a developer, Ed Freeman, for $119,000 more than they had paid for it. Associatid Press TELEMARK SKIER Todd Lintner, 38, of Bend, blasts through a powder burst, midway though a deep turn Monday on the frontside of the Cindercone at Mount Bachelor. Linfield's Old Oak falls to its death Snowboarders found at Mount Ashland ASHLAND (AP) Two snowboarders got confused in heavy snow at the Mount Ashland ski area, got out of bounds and got lost. But several hours later, after nightfall, searchers found them, wet, cold and dug into the snow.

After they realized they were lost, the pair tried to head downhill, but their to show its age. A consultant who examined the tree last year found an infestation of carpenter worms. The tree was labeled a hazard, because a branch could fall at anytime. College officials took steps to keep the tree standing as long as possible, but planned to move. the senior class bench, which thing.

It could last another 20 years." But it didn't. Light rain was falling Tuesday afternoon, but there was no wind to explain the sudden collapse of the beloved oak. "Incredible," onlookers said as they gaped at the dome-shaped base of the tree, where spongy, rotten wood was visible. hands and feet started getting numb, said Manuel Bolon, 23, of White City. Bolon's brother, also boarding, reported them missing about 1:30 p.m.

Monday. Ski patrol members spotted tracks leading out of the ski area's boundaries and followed them to the pair, finding them about 9:30 p.m. OREGON IN BRIEF Family of glri Injured by lawn mower files suit EUGENE -The family of 4-year-old Isabelle Norton seeks more than $8.5 million from the company that manufactured the riding mower that backed over her leg, causing it to be amputated. Norton's father, Kirk, was mowing the lawn at the family's Springfield home when the accident happened in May 2006. The lawsuit alleges that Deere Company was negligent in designing the mower with a switch that allows the driver to keep the blades spinning while driving in reverse.

The lawsuit also names the seller, Ram-sey-Waite Co. of Eugene, alleging the company did not adequately instruct Kirk Norton in the safe operation 'of the mower. Frank Bonser, the Ram-sey-Waite general manager, said the company did not haye enough information about the lawsuit to comment Tuesday. John Deere Co. spokesman Ken Golden said the mower Norton was driving disables the cutting blades when driven in reverse, unless the driver overrides the safety 'mechanism by flipping a Third person sentenced for Internet scam EUGENE A third person has been sentenced for' an Internet investment scam that touted "high-yield investments" but really provided nearly $700,000 to three people to spend on cars, electronics, furniture, jewelry and a house.

The U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday that Edwin Gar-cia, 41, was sentenced to 27 months and ordered to pay about $125,000 in restitution. In October, Daniel Wheat-ley was sentenced to 41 months and Sunshine Simmons was ordered to serve six months of home detention and three years on probation. Prosecutors said the Springfield couple and Garcia, who had lived in Vancouver, bilked 9,756 people. Woman accused of putting man's eye out MEDFORD A Medford woman is in jail with bail set at $100,000, accused of attacking a man with a knife and blinding him in the left eye.

Twenty-three-year-old Megan Whitehead is accused of assaulting 21-year-old Anthony Thayer. Police say she hit him in the head with a beer bottle and then stabbed him in the eye. Associated Press I MCMINNVILLE (AP) -A proud symbol of Linfield College fell to its death. The Old Oak, an 80-foot-tall tree that had been standing since the college was founded more than a century ago, collapsed in a matter of seconds Tuesday. No one was injured.

The tree was estimated at 250 years old and was described by the first settlers to the valley. The oak was mature when Pioneer Hall opened in 1882, the first building on the new campus of then-McMinnville College. Pioneer Hall and the Old Oak became symbols of the college, and had been pictured together on everything from calendars to college stationery. But the tree was starting Students Unn rnnlrl inin was placed under the tree 60 years ago, to discourage people from getting too close. "You could just tell," said John Hall, a botanist and the college's senior director of facilities.

"You looked at the tree and saw how much dead wood accumulated each year. I knew the tree was on its way out, but that doesn't mean any I UU LUUIU USUI I7! I Write an Editorial For your classroom! "iiur Kara H.Daley Attorney 738-2445 Elder Law Wills Trusts Experienced Estate Planner Tell us about your favorite person and why you like him or her. This year we are proud to continue our "Write an Editorial" contest Here is how it works: 1 Look every Thursday on the Young Voices page to find the topic. (There will be one topic per month 2. Have your students write on the topic or choose one that Interests your class.

3. Send your class submissions by the last day of each month to the Democrat-Herald 4. Winners will be chosen by the Democrat-Herald staff and published on the 4th Thursday on the Young Voices Page. 5. winners will receive a certificate and winners' teacher will receive $25 to be used by the entire class.

IMPORTANT SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Editorials should not exceed 250 words and should be neatly typed or handwritten on a white piece of paper. Limit one entry per student per month. Students must have their name, school, teacher and grade written on the top back of each editorial. Please submit all editorials together. Mall all entries to: Write An Editorial, Albany Democrat-Herald P.O.

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